Arjen Robben will decide whether he is fit enough to face Cameroon in Holland's final group match.
Flying Dutchman could make wing return
Arjen Robben will decide whether he is fit enough to play against Cameroon in Holland's final Group E match on Thursday.
Robben has missed both of his team's matches as the Dutch made a 100 per cent start to their World Cup campaign, seeing off Denmark and Japan to top their pool.
The hamstring injury that has sidelined the winger appears to be abating, however, with Robben taking part in two full training sessions over the past three days.
And Netherlands boss Bert van Marwijk says he will leave the decision whether to risk the fitness of his star name to the player himself.
Decision
Van Marwijk told reporters on Sunday: "I am going to leave him to make the decision.
"He knows his own body best and he will let me know when he is ready.
"It can be in the next game or it can be in the knockout phase. He must take the decision."
But playing the 26-year-old while he is not at full tilt is not something that sits comfortably with the Oranje chief.
He added: "I'd prefer that he is used only when he is fit."
Holland appear to be performing strongly without their mercurial midfielder and are definitely through to the knockout phase.
Not satisfied
The form of another flair player, Robin van Persie, has warranted some soul searching from the Arsenal player amidst concerns he has not been performing at his best.
Van Marwijk harbours no such worries, however, and backed his man to discover the magic he so often produces in a Gunners jersey.
The 58-year-old said: "He played well in the warm-up games against Ghana and Hungary but he is not satisfied with himself after two matches here.
"But he will improve. He is the kind of player who can change the way the whole team play and I think it's important he continues to play to get his form back after all his injuries this season."
